Donate Tools to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s Month-Long Tool Drive
Mayor Frank Jackson, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and other business, community and civic leaders joined representatives from Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity in June to kick off the organization’s first ever Tool Drive. The countywide Tool Drive, running now through Sunday, June 28, asks residents to donate new and used tools and building materials to Habitat for Humanity. The tools will be sold at the organization’s ReStore, a recycled building materials store located at 2110 W. 110th St. in Cleveland. Proceeds from ReStore sales will be used to help habitat build and rehab homes for those in need. Supporters will also be able to make donations to Habitat “at the cash register” at Do-it Best Hardware Stores and Phoenix Coffee Shops throughout the Greater Cleveland area.
The Tool Drive encourages participants to look through basements, garages, workbenches, warehouses, storage lockers and tool kits, and then donate duplicates or items they haven’t used in years. This is an excellent way to put a deceased loved one’s tool set back into good hands, for the benefit of the community. It’s also a great way for businesses and organizations to eliminate unnecessary storage expenses, floor stock and overhead.
For those who will make new tool purchases in support of the drive, immediate needs exist for: hammer drills, sledge hammers, circular saws, cordless screw guns, hammers, miter saws, speed-framing squares, spindle sanders, step ladders, tape measures, angle drills, utility knives, six and four foot levels, and generators.
One of the area’s largest recyclers, ReStore will also accept remodeling materials such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, windows, doors, light fixtures, lumber and appliances. Residents remodeling their homes should request that their contractor donate materials to the ReStore prior to demolition. Contractors should never again pay to dump viable materials that could be put to good use.
Churches, organizations and businesses are encouraged to hold individual Tool Drives to collect small materials and then arrange for a drop-off time at the ReStore. Tools can also be dropped off at the 14 area Do-It-Best locations.Those donating very large items, such as cabinets, sinks and appliances, who do not have the ability to deliver these items themselves, can call the ReStore to schedule a pick up. Habitat is also seeking volunteers to help in the ReStore on a regular basis. For more information, visit www.clevelandrestore.org.
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit charitable organization that offers qualified families, with demonstrated need, willingness to partner, and the ability to pay a zero-interest loan, an opportunity to build and buy a home. Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity brings urban and suburban communities together to “eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.” As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is part of a worldwide powerhouse building in 3,000 locations across 100 countries. For more information visit, www.clevelandhabitat.org.